This guide will teach you how to ID servos using an ArbotiX Robocontroller and a computer.

The DynaManager software requires Java to run. If you do not have Java installed on your system, it is available here.

Once you have Java installed, you will need to download the DynaManager Software . The software is compatible with Windows XP, Vista and 7, Mac OS 10.5+, and Linux. Mac users please see the 'Note for Mac Users' here before following the rest of this guide.

For the DYNAManager to work, you will need the ROS.ino sketch loaded onto your ArbotiX. New ArbotiX boards come pre-loaded with the ROS sketch. If you have already loaded another program onto your ArbotiX, you can find the ROS sketch here

File->Sketchbook->ArbotiX Sketches->ROS

or you can download it here. If you need help programming your board, see the ArbotiX Quick Start Guide. Once you have ROS loaded onto your ArbotiX, set up your hardware as shown.

Single Servo Setup for ArbotiX-M

Single Servo Setup for ArbotiX

The Rest of this tutorial will guide you through using the DynaManager software. Before you set your servo IDs, here are some things to keep in mind.

You can only ID one servo at a time. Do not plug multiple servos into the ArbotiX when using the DYNAManger.

Make sure you label your servos as you ID them! This will make the assmebly phase go much faster

All servos come pre-set to ID # 1. However we still recomend that you use the DynaManager to set the ID on servo #1. This will make sure the servo's baud rate is set correctly, as well as allow you test the servo.

Most kits use only AX-12A or AX-18A servos. For these kits, you can simply ID the servos in sequential, increasing order for however many servos you have. The exceptions are:

If you have a PhantomX Reactor Robot Armwithout wrist-rotate then skip servo 7 (ID the first 6 servos normally, then set the last servo to ID #8)

If you have a WidowX Robot Arm MK-II, see this diagram. (The MK-I diagram is availbe here)

Using the Dynamanager

Launch the Dynamanager application on your computer. You should see a screen as shown above. If you have problems launching the application, see possible solutions here

The easiset way to connect to the ArbotiX is to lick on 'Auto Search'. This will scan all of your available serial ports for an active ArbotiX running ROS.

If you have problems with the Auto Search Function, manaully pick the serial port that corresponds to your FTDI device, and hit 'connect'.

Once connected to the ArbotiX, the Servo Scan panel will appear.

Click the 'Scan' button to begin the servo scan. While scanning the 'Scan' button will change color and the text 'Scanning' will show in the Servo ID field. New AX servos should be found almost instantly, and new MX servos will take a 5-10 seconds to find. The scanner will scan from IDs 0-252 at both 1000000 baud and 57600 baud. A full scan takes about a minute. If the scan completes and your servo is not found, make sure that your servo is powered and connected to the ArbotiX.

Once a servo is found, the servo's ID and model number will appear. The 'Set Servo ID' and 'Test Servo' panels will now appear.

Enter in the ID that you would like to set the servo to. In the assembly guide for your robot, you will find a diagram of which servo should get which ID.

Click the 'Set ID/Baud' button.Note:New servos come pre-set to an ID of '1'. However it is still a good idea to 'Set' your first servo to an ID of 1, to make sure that your Baud rate is set correctly.

The 'Servo Scan' panel should now update to reflect your newly ID'ed servo (if it does not, click 'Scan' again. Now you can use the 'Test Servo' panel to move your servo horn to make sure it is working properly. Click and hold anywhere along the blue ring and the servo should move to that position.

Once you are done, click the 'Center Servo' button to set the servo horn back to its centered position. This is very important, as the assmbly guide for your robot will assume your servo horn is centered. Assembling your robot with mis-aligned horns will cause it to malfunction.

Now you can repeat steps 6-11 until you have all of your servos IDed. Once you are done, click 'Disconnect' to disconnect from the ArbotiX